Latin One | Calligraphy Mechanics

I am currently collaborating Practica Program giving a guest lecture presentation as part of their Latin One Coure called “Calligraphy Mechanics”.

During the lecture I’m answering the following questions.

Why are we talking about calligraphy?

I believe calligraphy and typography are intrinsically connected in its core.

Why is that?

Because both disciplines have been conceived as communication systems, where each alphabet functions like a large family, with all its members having their unique personalities, but also sharing the same DNA.

Both, calligraphy and typography have been designed for every single letter combination to work, independently from the language in use, or its meaning.

Learning calligraphy is learning about the ductus of each letterform, giving us key information to understand its construction, the distribution of its thin and thick and why.

We no longer look at letterforms by its geometric resemblance, but by the strokes that are made of; replacing our graphic designer perception, for our type design one.

So why calligraphy again?

1) Because it is a mindful practice

2) Improves your visual literacy: sharpening your eye

3) Improves your spacing and kerning skills

4) Learning by doing: wiring your brain-eye-hand 

5) Learn the order of the strokes of each alphabet style

6) Understand about rhythm, contrast and composition

7) Discover the history of the Latin alphabet

8) Informs and improves your drawing skills

I’m offering a writing demo explaining how to translate the calligraphic knowledge into a typographic system, and I’m defining —in a practical way— the following principles:

— Slant

— Cursive

— Script

— Contrast

— Ductus

— Width and letter spacing

— Ratio

— Typographic colour

— Ligatures

— Alternative characters

— Types of connections